Item 1 is normal.  Actually, I think it was the early VWs that first had the pre-lockable doors.

Item 2 is a bit confusing.  Are saying that a door will lock with the key but will not un-lock?  If it will do neither you may have the lock clocked 180 out.

BB

OK, first tip...  When you take the door panel off, place about three layers of masking tape across all the sharp edges of the access holes in the door.  Then you won't get all cut up working inside the door.  And it will already be there the next time you need to remove the panel and access the inside of the door.

As for the door not unlocking with the key, you need to visualize the direction the rod from the key lock needs to move when the key is unlocking the door.  Be sure the key lock is turning the correct direction to achieve that direction of motion.  You can shorten or lengthen the rod by bending or unbending the rod.

I just went through a day of aggravation when I put my door latches back together on my 66.  Together-apart-together-apart for about four times before I finally figured out that plastic round piece with the snap-on retainer clip (door latch retainer) had slid a little, letting the mechanism jam between the door latch retainer and the moving metal part.  I highly recommend replacing that part because when it fails for good, you cannot open the door at all from inside or outside.  CJPony has the part for $4.46 shipped.  I am not sure if that is your problem, but if you are "going in", that is one part that can wear.